EDGT 940 Assessment 1 Part A

EDGT 940 Materials and Technology - Assessment 1.

a) Review of a Textbook: New Headway Video Intermediate

Along with a Teachers Book and DVD, this Student's Book is part of the overall New Headway Intermediate Series that features previously-introduced characters in a progressive 6 episode drama. The aims of this coursebook package are to provide opportunities through exercises that develop listening skills which promote comprehension and oral fluency. To enable optimum benefit to students, each episode is divided into three sections: 'Before you watch', While you watch' and 'After you watch' with a variety of exercises to be completed in each.  For example, in episode 1, before watching the DVD, students are shown a written advertisement for a rental flat which they read and then answer questions. This allows for learning of new vocabulary, pair-work discussion, prediction and comprehension of the context of an authentic scenario. The Teachers Book provides answers for immediate feedback to all activities. The DVD is then played in small sections and students have to answer brief questions while they watch which tests their observation and comprehension skills through a simple, tick the box method. Answers are given and subsequent discussion confirms student comprehension. The following activities in this section progress in level of difficulty. Activities provided for 'After watching’ the DVD include discussion and role-play which allow free speech and consolidation of comprehension skills, grammatical aspects and vocabulary. The DVD transcript is also available for students to check spelling of unfamiliar vocabulary and dialogue they may have missed.

The Students Book in this package presents clear instructions, coloured photographs and a variety of activities.

A different language focus for each episode is clearly outlined in the Teachers book. The format of watching a DVD in soap-opera-like episodes engages students and presents learning in a cohesive, user-friendly process through diverse activities including music. It provides revision and extension exercises while also consolidating grammatical, functional and lexical aspects of the English language that learners have been taught in the New Headway Video Beginner, Elementary and Pre-Intermediate courses. However, the Intermediate-level activities would appear to have appropriate, stand-alone applicability and can be successfully utilised as supplements to other textbooks aimed at the Intermediate level.

Highly recommended. ****

References:

English Language Teaching Worldwide. New Headway. Six-level general English course for adults. Image accessed 23/8/11 from http://elt.oup.com/catalogue/items/global/adult_courses/new_headway/intermediate_fourth_edition/9780194581882?cc=global&selLanguage=en&mode=hub

Hardisty, D and Russell. R 2005 New Headway Vidoe Intermediate - Student's Book. Oxford University Press. Oxford, England.